Around 5,500 patients are living with end-stage kidney disease in Ireland, with 2,647 receiving dialysis treatment
The high cost of dialysis treatment in Ireland shows the importance of early detection and intervention when it comes to kidney disease, the CEO of the Irish Kidney Association (IKA) has said.
Carol Moore, CEO, Irish Kidney Association
Carol Moore made the remarks as she welcomes the HSE’s rollout of a prototype of the first Irish Kidney Disease Data System (IKDDS), which experts believe will make it easier to detect the illness at an earlier stage.
Currently just under 5,500 patients are undergoing treatment for end-stage kidney disease. More than half are living with a functioning kidney transplant, but a further 2,647 are on dialysis treatment. More than 500 people are believed to currently be on a waiting list for a kidney transplant.
“Behind every statistic is a person and a family whose lives are permanently changed by kidney failure,” said Ms Moore.
“There is a profound human cost to patients and their families – including the physical and mental health toll of treatment, emotional strain, and significant disruption to daily life.
“Dialysis treatment is already costing the HSE more than €300 million per year, showing the urgent importance of prevention and early intervention.”
Marking World Kidney Day which took place on Thursday, the IKA highlighted the prevalence of chronic kidney disease in Ireland. The illness affects approximately one in ten adults in Ireland, rising to one in seven among those over 50.
On its current trajectory, kidney disease is projected to become the fifth leading cause of death globally by 2040. Despite its prevalence, chronic kidney disease is often described as a ‘silent condition,’ with an estimated 98 per cent of people in the early stages unaware they have it.
“Early detection of chronic kidney disease is crucial to preventing progression and improving outcomes through timely intervention and effective management,” said Prof Austin Stack, consultant nephrologist at University Hospital Limerick.
“The development of the Irish Kidney Disease Data System, under the governance of the Health Service Executive, brings Ireland to an important juncture and once fully implemented, will mark a significant step forward in strengthening how we understand and manage kidney disease at a national level, and aligning our services with international standards.
“High-quality, reliable data are fundamental to improving outcomes, enabling earlier intervention, and ensuring that health services are designed around population needs rather than reacting at the point of crisis. By enhancing how kidney health is monitored and measured, Ireland has an opportunity to shift from reactive treatment of kidney failure to proactive protection of kidney health.”
While the majority of patients on dialysis receive the treatment in a healthcare setting, rising number are able to be treated at home, with 351 receiving care this way at the end of last year.
“We are pleased to say that growing numbers of patients are receiving dialysis at home,” said Prof Joe Eustace, HSE clinical lead for the national renal office.
“In 2025, more than 115,000 dialysis treatments took place in the home setting. This allows patients to spend less time travelling to and from hospital (over 100,000 journeys saved) and more time in their own homes and communities (over 190,000 fewer hours spent in hospital).”
Risk of having chronic kidney disease increases if you have diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure, a family history of kidney disease, are over 50, or use certain over-the-counter medications long term. A simple blood and urine test undertaken by a general practitioner can help assess kidney health. More information is available at www.ika.ie/kidneyhealth.